Teacher Emily Harris Smith

Emily Smith began practicing yoga in 2000 under Summer Greenless. With Summer’s encouragement, she pursued formal teacher’s instruction ultimately becoming registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance. In 2006, she became certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Practitioner after completing 650 hours of in depth body mind training.

She is currently continuing her personal growth and master teacher training under Yogiraj Rod Stryker, Yoga Master and founder of Para Yoga. Since 2006, Emily has studied structural yoga therapy under Doug Keller, founder of Swatantrya Yoga. She completed her Advanced Yoga Therapy teacher training in 2008 and module two of Advanced Yoga Therapy teacher training in August, 2009. Emily has completed level I & II iRest training under Richard Miller, Ph.D. of the integrative restoration institute and is currently pursuing certification. This form of deep relaxation and meditation is being used as an adjunct therapy for individuals suffering from PTSD, chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety and substance abuse. She embraces the ancient medical science of Ayurveda receiving guidance from Dr. Jim Davis, DO and Ayurvedic physician. She works with local physicians and physical therapists offering yoga as an adjunct therapy for physical rehabilitation.

Emily’s practice includes all the tools that embody the essence of yoga as a path to live life more courageously and peacefully. Practices include structurally sound postures, moving breath and awareness, mantra, meditation and visualization. Her passion is to teach timeless yoga techniques to individuals so they may be empowered to develop healthy bodies, emotional balance, mental clarity, and ultimate connection with their inner wisdom.

“Yoga helps shape us physically, mentally and emotionally in such away that it weaves itself into our life and some of our bad habits & faulty thinking begin to fall away.”

Teacher Beth Matlock

Beth began her yoga journey in 1997 in Los Angeles, CA after a knee injury sidelined her running and high impact workouts. After her injury, she started looking for something exciting, upbeat, and a great workout but without the high impact. A friend suggested Vinyasa yoga but when attending her first class, she left before it was over. As a competitive athlete and ‘type A’ personality, it was difficult to not be ‘perfect’ on her first try. But something clicked, and she went back.

Yoga gave Beth the workout she wanted and also complemented her busy lifestyle with a form of peace and introspection. She began teaching in 1999 and has earned her 200-hr RYT through Yoga Alliance. Beth enjoys teaching Vinyasa and is also certified in Prenatal/Postpartum Yoga. As she continues her own personal yoga journey, Beth encourages her students to grow their own practice by experiencing different yoga classes, reading and learning about the traditions of yoga, and enjoying yoga as a journey, not a destination.

Teacher Alison Skinner

A certified yoga teacher, Alison began her yoga journey in 2003. She started practicing yoga as a form of exercise, but the exercise part of yoga quickly became a secondary reason she practiced. What kept Alison coming back to the mat was the deeper benefits she experienced…benefits such as fewer tension headaches, less stress, decreased insomnia, and the overall feeling of improved health & wellness. She began teaching yoga in 2004 under the guidance of teacher and dear friend, Fran Alford. Alison has a personal practice that focuses on the breath and proper alignment of the body. She currently studies yoga therapy under Doug Keller.

Teacher Lisa Waugh

Lisa Waugh has been teaching yoga since 2004 with a specialization in Restorative and Yin Yoga. She received her certification under Tias Little’s Prajna Yoga training in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has also studied Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater and Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers.

Teacher Damiana

Studying various dance disciplines since the age of 4, Damiana’s Belly Dance education includes extensive study with Miabella of Ft. Worth and intensive workshops with some of the greatest names in Belly Dance. In 1995 she began her professional Belly Dance career by teaching and performing this wonderful art form.

Since that time she has served as a member, co-director, creative director and special adviser to several dance companies and is , as she has been for the last 10 years, the director of the Sisters of the Harvest Moon Belly Dance Ensemble.

Clearly the area’s most accomplished instructor Damiana is also a much sought after soloist. She has been the featured artist at festivals, fairs and various restaurants throughout 3 states. The warm fun-loving nature that makes her a popular instructor. is also what makes Dami, as she is affectionately called, such a popular performer.

After teaching and performing for several years throughout the Ark-La-Tex area, Dami settled down and in 1999 opened the doors of Harvest Moon Belly Dance Studio, now the area s favorite place to learn Belly Dance.